Maternity Pants with an Adjustable/Expandable Waist

ABSTRACT

A pair of pants with an adjustable waist including an elastic band extending lengthwise around the interior of the waistband. The elastic band includes notches positioned along its length, and an engaging means (for example, a button), which is attached to the waistband near each end of the elastic band. The engaging means affixes to the elastic band through different notches to adjust the size of the waist in the pants. The pants also have a unique cut, including a shortened transverse distance from the button to the crotch in the front of the pants, and an elongated transverse distance from the crotch to the waistband in the back of the pants.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED U.S. APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of co-pending ProvisionalApplication Ser. No. 60/941,176, filed May 31, 2007.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

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FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of clothing. Morespecifically, the present invention relates to pants to be worn by apregnant woman.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The typical problem a pregnant woman faces relates to issues with herbelly, which becomes protruded during pregnancy. It is well understoodthat a problem with maternity clothing is the evolution and wearabilityof the clothing as the woman gets deeper into the term of the pregnancy.It is undesirable to purchase clothing that is wearable for only a fewweeks or a few months. Therefore, a common goal of maternity clothing isto be adjustable with the pregnancy. Another common goal is for theclothing to be comfortable for the pregnant woman. The adjustability andcomfortability of existing maternity clothing causes the stylishness tosuffer.

There exist various known clothing options for pregnant women. Forexample, one approach is to wear stretchable garments, such as Lycra oryoga-style pants. These non-fashionable options offer stretch-ability ofthe item based on the material itself. However, this solution limits awoman's choice in wardrobe selection based on the limited amount ofclothing available in stretchable material. A woman may feel out ofplace wearing yoga-style pants or “sweatpants” in public, such as towork, meeting friends for lunch, or shopping. Therefore, these existingclothing options provide limited appeal and solutions for the limitedscenarios where dressed-down attire is either suitable or acceptable,such as in the comfort of one's home or at the gym.

Another common option available to pregnant women includes veryunflattering pants or jeans styles that are made of about seven/eighthsnormal pants and a stretchable piece of material in place of thewaistband. These prevalent maternity pants/jeans require the woman toencase the bottom half of her belly in this stretchable material andthen purchase suitable maternity tops that not only cover the topportion of the belly, but also the stretchable material on her pants.

Existing maternity clothing options provide little or no alternativesfor a woman looking to purchase stylish pants or jeans made of standardclothing material such as denim, silk or cotton instead of syntheticfibers such as lycra. As such, it would be desirable to provide pregnantwomen with jeans or pants made of more fashionable, natural clothingmaterials wearable for the duration of the pregnancy.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention improves over the above-described shortcomings ofthe prior art by providing stylish maternity pants having an adjustablelength waistband. The adjustable waistband includes a hidden elasticband disposed within an interior seam of the waistband. The distal endsof the elastic material include notches for attaching engaging means,which are connected to the waistband. The notches can be any means forconnecting the engaging means to the elastic band. The waist may includeelastic material sewn directly into the waist in conjunction with theelastic band.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, thematernity pants provide an adjustable waistband through the inclusion ofthe elastic band disposed within the interior of the seam, but alsothrough the adjustability of the band itself. At various stages in thepregnancy, the wearer may adjust the positioning on the band by choosingto engage different notches with the engaging means. For example, togive more waistline circumference, a wearer may move one or both ends ofthe band to connect to wider-spaced notches in the band. The maternitypants also include additional features as described in more detailbelow.

In accordance with another preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, the maternity pants provide for comfortable and stylish pantsthrough the cut of the pant itself in conjunction with theabove-described adjustable waistline. Whereas previous maternity clothesincluded synthetic fabrics for stretching over a pregnant woman's belly,these pants do not impede the protrusion of the belly itself. Rather,the jeans, in the cut and design, provide for displacement underneath awoman's belly.

Through the utility features described below, the present inventionprovides for stylish adjustable maternity pants that allow a pregnantwoman to wear the pants during the term of the pregnancy and allow thepants to thereby expand in conjunction with the woman's expanding bellythroughout pregnancy.

Other and further features and advantages of the present invention willbe apparent from the following descriptions of the various embodiments.It will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that thefollowing embodiments are provided for illustrative and exemplarypurposes only, and that numerous combinations of the elements of thevarious embodiments of the present invention are possible.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is illustrated in the figures of the accompanying drawingswhich are meant to be exemplary and not limiting, in which likereferences are intended to refer to like or corresponding partsthroughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a back portion of a waistband of apair of maternity pants in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of a left side portion of thewaistband of a pair of maternity pants in accordance with one embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of a right side portion of thewaistband of a pair of maternity pants in accordance with one embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates one embodiment of a front side portion of a pair ofmaternity pants in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 5 illustrates one embodiment of a back side portion of a pair ofmaternity pants in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

More specifically, FIG. 1 illustrates a back interior portion 100 of awaistband 102 of a pair of pants 140 that extends around a pair ofmaternity pants in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention. The waistband 102 includes an elastic band 104 that extendslengthwise across the back portion 100, where the band 104 is interiorlydisposed within an inner seam portion (not visible). The band 104extends out of slits 106 in the waistband 102.

The elastic band 104 is made of any suitable resilient material such aselastic, cotton, or spandex as recognized by one having ordinary skillin the art. The band 104 includes notches 108 disposed at variouspositions. In FIG. 1, two of the notches are not visible because of theengaging means, which in this embodiment is a button 110 sown directlyinto the waistband 102. It is also recognized that additional notchesare not visible as these may be disposed on the portion of the band 104disposed within the interior of the waistband 102.

As shown herein, the engaging means 110 are buttons that connect throughthe notches 108 disposed in the band 104, but it is recognized that anysuitable engaging means such as snaps, hooks or velcro may be used.

The waistband 102 may be made of the same material as the pants 140. Inone embodiment of the invention, for example, in the event of maternityjeans, the waistband itself 102 is made of the same denim or other jeanmaterial.

FIG. 1 also illustrates creases 112 in the back portion 100. As the band104 contracts in the waistband 102, this causes the original material tocrease up, just slightly. As illustrated, the band 104 provides an evendistribution of cinching force across the back portion 100 such that thecreasing 112 is done in a uniform manner, thus maintaining thewearability and fashionability of the pants 140 instead of creating oneor more large visible creases to tuck in or cinch the excess material.Also illustrated, the back portion 102 may include a label 114 fordesigner information or other information.

In utilizing the maternity pants 140 having the waistband 102, the usermay adjust the dimensions of the waistband 102 by changing the positionof the notches 108 relative to the engaging means 110. In theillustrated embodiment of FIG. 1, this may include unbuttoning thebutton 110 from the selected notch and then selecting another notch 108.For example, if the wearer needs to take in the pants 140, they canselect a notch 108 closer the middle of the band 104 and if the wearerneeds to let out the waist, they can select a notch 108 further awayfrom the center of the band 104. Thereby, this hidden band 104discretely provides for adjusting or cinching the waistline of thematernity pants 140 in a uniform fashion across the back portion 100.The inner seam allows the band 104 to be mostly hidden, as well asallowing for the waistband 102 to be made of the same material as therest of the pants 140. Furthermore, the construction of the inner seamrelative to the band 104 provides for relatively uniformed pleating orcinching 112 of the waistband 102.

FIG. 2 illustrates a left portion 120 of the waistband 102 of a pair ofpants 140 extending from the engaging means 110 and the band 104 withnotches 108 emerging from the seam 106. The left portion 120 extendsaround and concludes with a backside of a button 122. As visible in FIG.2, the backside of the button 122 is illustrated in FIG. 2 indicates theinterior portion of the waistband 102, therefore the large end of thebutton 124 extends outward. When a person puts on the pants 140, thisportion 120 wraps around the right-hand side of the wearer's waist andthe button 124 sticks out at the midpoint of the persons waist forfastening the pants 140.

Also visible, the left portion 120 includes the pleats 112, which in oneembodiment may be made by an interiorly-embedded elastic material (notvisible) that is entirely sown into the waistband approximately betweenthe button 122 and the fastening means 110. It is recognized that thelength of this interior elastic material may be adjusted to providevarying levels of a front-end elasticity. But similar to the backportion 100 of FIG. 1, the elastic material remains hidden and providesa relatively uniform pleating or cinching action on the waistband 102.

Similar to the left portion 120 of FIG. 2, FIG. 3 illustrates a rightportion 130 of the waistband 102 of a pair of pants 140. The rightportion culminates in a buttonhole 132 that can engage the button 122 ofFIG. 2 when the pants 140 are secured about the wearer's waist, as theright portion wraps around the left-side of the wearer's waist.Similarly, the right portion includes an interiorly-disposed elasticmaterial (not visible) that is entirely sown into the waistbandapproximately between the buttonhole 132 and the fastening means 110. Itis recognized that the length of this interior elastic material may beadjusted to provide varying levels of a front-end elasticity. Butsimilar to the back portion 100 of FIG. 1, the elastic material remainshidden and provides a relatively uniform pleating or cinching action onthe waistband 102.

It is further noted that the present invention is directed primarily,but not exclusively, to maternity pants and by that extension, includesadditional features beyond the waistband 102 of FIGS. 1-3. The maternitypants of the present invention further includes features relating to thecut of the pants 140 as may further facilitate comfort for the wearerduring pregnancy.

FIG. 4 illustrates the front portion of one embodiment of a pair ofmaternity pants 140, in this embodiment, maternity jeans. The figureillustrates one embodiment of cut of the material through the crotch 150and in the front portion. FIG. 4 illustrates the front side of the rightand left portion engaged, with a shortened distance 142 between thebutton 144 and the bottom of the crotch 150. This entails reducing thelength of the fly 142 on the pants, whether it is a zipper, button-flyor other type. Whereas existing maternity pants include a much-elongatedfront portion to encapsulate the bottom portion of a pregnant belly, thepresent invention is cut to be disposed below the belly 148. Thisobviates the need and hence the lack of comfort and style, of a pair ofmaternity pants having to extend out around the apex of a pregnantbelly. As visible, the waistband includes the creases 112 from theinterior elastic matter, where the creases are relatively uniform.

FIG. 5 illustrates the rear perspective of one embodiment of a pair ofmaternity pants 140. As visible, the waistband includes the creases fromthe interior elastic matter, where the creases are relatively uniform.It is also recognized that when a person wears the jeans, many of thecreases shall disappear.

As visible in FIGS. 4 and 5, the maternity cut of the pants 140 includesa short front portion 142 (FIG. 4) with a longer backside portion 160(FIG. 5). Through the front portion, the wearer's belly may extend outand possibly over the waistband. Through the back portion, the pantsprovide the proper support for the front portion and provide the stylishand comfortable fit not found in existing styles of maternity pants.

As noted previously, the figures and examples described herein are notmeant to limit the scope of the present invention to a singleembodiment. Other embodiments are possible by way of interchange of someor all of the described or illustrated elements. Moreover, where certainelements of the present invention can be partially or fully implementedusing known components. While the invention has been described andillustrated in connection with various embodiments, many variations andmodifications as to be evident to those of skill in the relevant art(s)may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention, and the invention is thus not to be limited to the precisedetails set forth above, as such variations and modifications areintended to be included within the scope of the invention. Thus, thepresent invention should not be limited by any of the above-describedexemplary embodiments.

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications andalternative constructions, certain illustrated embodiments thereof areshown in the drawings and have been described above in detail. It shouldbe understood, however, that there is no intention to limit theinvention to the specific form or forms disclosed, but on the contrary,the intention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions,and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention asset forth in the appended claims.

1. A pair of pants comprising: a waistband with a resilient member thatextends around the waistband lengthwise; the resilient member includingnotches disposed at various positions and engaging means attached to thewaistband.
 2. The pants according to claim 1 wherein, the engaging meansengage with the resilient member to provide a wearer proper fit.
 3. Thepants according to claim 1 wherein, the resilient member is interiorlydisposed within the waistband and extends out of the waistband.
 4. Thepants according to claim 1 wherein, the waistband is made of the samematerial as the pants.
 5. The pants according to claim 4 wherein, fixingthe engaging means with the resilient member creates even distributionof cinching force across the waistband.
 6. The pants according to claim1 wherein, dimensions of the waistband can be adjusted by fixing theengaging means with the resilient member through the notches.
 7. Thepants according to claim 1 wherein, the front transverse portion of thepants between a button and a crotch area is a shortened distance.
 8. Thepants according to claim 1 wherein, the back transverse portion of thepants between the waistband and the crotch area is a lengtheneddistance.
 9. The pants according to claim 1 wherein, the frontlongitudinal portion of the pants between two side portions of the pantsis cut lower to be disposed below a wearer's belly.
 10. A waistband fora pair of pants comprising: an elastic band that extends around thewaistband lengthwise; the elastic band including holes disposed at thedistal ends; attaching means connected to the waistband for attaching tothe elastic band through the holes.
 11. The waistband according to claim10 wherein, the elastic band is interiorly disposed within the waistbandand extends out of openings in an interior portion of the waistband. 12.The waistband according to claim 10 wherein, the waistband is made ofthe same material as the pants.
 13. The waistband according to claim 10wherein, the length of the waistband can be adjusted by connecting theattaching means to the elastic band through the holes.
 14. The waistbandaccording to claim 10 wherein, fixing the attaching means with theelastic band through the holes creates even distribution of cinchingforce across the waistband.
 15. A pair of pants comprising: a fronttransverse portion of the pants between a button and a crotch area witha shortened distance; and a back transverse portion of the pants betweena waistband and the crotch area with a lengthened distance.
 16. Thepants according to claim 15 wherein, the front longitudinal portion ofthe pants between two side portions of the pants is cut lower to bedisposed below the wearer's belly.